Cars for wheelchair users
Cars for wheelchair users are small car specifically designed for people who use wheelchairs, which can accommodate the wheelchair without the need for the user to change seats. They differ from adapted automobiles. Several models are currently being produced:
- Chairiot solo has been developed and sold in North America by Chairiot Mobility Inc., based in Riverside, California. It is a battery-electric car, classified as a low-speed or neighborhood electric vehicle, capable of traveling 40-50 miles at a speed of 25 mph (35 mph in some US jurisdictions). It features a large rear door and ramp that allows a wheelchair user to roll-in and drive-off.[1]
- Inrij-Canta by Dutch carmaker Waaijenberg. It has a pneumatic lift built in that raises the car up after the wheelchair rolls in at ground level.[2][3]
- Kenguru (Hungarian for kangaroo), designed by Istvan Kissaroslaki, who moved from Hungary to Texas, where he secured investment and started production. It's an electric car, capable of going up to 25 miles per hour, designed for local use, with an estimated range of 60 miles.[4]
- Elbee is a vehicle created by Czech company ZLKL. The vehicle is officially categorised as a ‘heavy all-terrain vehicle’ and has a maximum speed of 80 km/h. It uses a unique mechanism to allow the user to roll into or out of the vehicle - the user enters through hinged doors in the front. Compact dimensions allow for parking parallel to the pavement, so a wheelchair user can comfortably exit the vehicle directly onto the pavement rather than the road. The vehicle can accommodate one passenger at the rear.[5]
In the United Kingdom today, people with disabilities can now obtain these vehicles at low cost through the motability scheme.[6]
Contents
History
Makers of cars for wheelchair users included AC Cars in England,[7] Fend in West Germany,[8] Simson DUO in East Germany,[9] SMZ in the Soviet Union and Velorex in Czechoslovakia.[10][11]
The Duo was made initially by VEB Fahrzeugbau und Ausrüstungen Brandis (VEB FAB) from 1973 until 1978, whereupon manufacture was transferred to VEB Robur, more famous for making trucks in Zittau. Because many of the components are common with the Simson, the Duo is often classified as a Simson. Production ceased in 1989.
In the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s, the Invacar was a low cost, low maintenance vehicles, designed specifically for people with physical disabilities. Vehicles supplied by the National Health Service had 3 wheels, were very lightweight, and therefore their suitability on roads amongst other traffic was often considered dubious on safety grounds.[12] The last ones were withdrawn from the road in 2003, 27 years after the end of production, though some are still in existence. A 1976 example, one of the last made, is on display at the National Motor Museum in Hampshire.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.chairiot-mobility.com
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Inrij-Canta: De ideale oplossing voor rolstoelgebruikers
- ↑ This electric car is specifically designed for people in wheelchairs
- ↑ Enhancing mobility for wheelchair users
- ↑ Motability
- ↑ [MOTABILITY 2005: Opening doors] Independent, The (London), Jun 28, 2005 by Andrew Jeffrey.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ [1] Duo 4-5 Schwalbennest Simson und mehr - accessed 06 Feb 2011.
- ↑ TECHNICKÁ DATA - OSKAR 54
- ↑ VELOREX TEAM ZLATÁ RŮŽE BOSKOVICE
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ National Motor Museum (UK): List of Vehicles in the Collection
